Internet Retailers Ready for Home Shoppers

Were you one of the 212 million that braved the crowds this Black Friday weekend in search of some great deals?

Or, maybe you would rather sit in your Chicago home and be one of the 106 million that will shop online for Cyber Monday.

According to a National Retail Federation (NRF) survey, 212 million shoppers visited stores and web sites over Black Friday weekend, an increase from 195 million last year. They also bought more: The average shopper spent $365.34, up from $343.31 last year.

“While Black Friday weekend is not always an indicator of holiday season performance, retailers should be encouraged that a focus on value and discretionary gifts has shoppers in the spirit to spend,” said Matthew Shay, NRF President and CEO. “As retailers look ahead to the first few weeks of December, it will be important for them to keep momentum going with savings and incentives that holiday shoppers simply can’t pass up.”

The next big incentive is November 29; Cyber Monday.

The NRF estimates that a record number of Americans will shop online on Cyber Monday. According to a survey by BIGresearch, 106.9 million plan to shop on Cyber Monday this year, a significant increase from the estimated 96.5 million who did it last year.

It’s predicted that 96 million people will shop from their home computer, but a new trend shows that more than 7 million people will use their smartphones on Cyber Monday. That almost doubles the number of shoppers who used their phones last year.

No matter where you shop, deals should be readily available: A survey last week found that 88.2 percent, nearly nine out of every 10 web sites, will offer a special promotion on Cyber Monday.

“Hundreds of retailers have already announced special Cyber Monday promotions ranging from free shipping offers to flash sales lasting only an hour or two,” said Joan Broughton, Interim Executive Director of Shop.org. “When it comes to Cyber Monday deals, shoppers know they can’t lose this year.”

CyberMonday.com is a resource to check out. The Shop.org web site will feature holiday promotions and savings from more than 700 retailers on Cyber Monday. The site will offer exclusive promotions as well as a Deal of the Hour on the front page.

In addition, CyberMonday.com will be distributing hundreds of dollars in gift cards from major retailers each day through December 25 to its fans on Facebook and followers on Twitter.

A portion of CyberMonday.com proceeds will benefit Shop.org’s Ray M. Greenly Scholarship Fund. Named after the man who was a Vice President at Shop.org before passing away from cancer in 2005, the fund helps students pursuing careers in retail.